Sports Illustrated’s Peter King seems to think the players aren’t giving full effort.

Let's start with King's comment from a recent article on SI.com:

“They give off the distinct aroma of a team playing out the string and wondering if their coach in 2013 will be a: Chip Kelly, b: Andy Reid, c: Some total longshot like Syracuse coach Doug Marrone.”

I enjoy Peter King’s work.

I think he’s wrong about the Chargers playing out the string, even if it turns out they don't reach the playoffs. Are the Chargers "wondering" about who'll be their next coach? I suppose it's possible.

I don’t think the Chargers have lacked for effort. Stupid decisions and insufficient talent aren’t the same as “playing out the string.”

The run defense is third in the NFL, which I think speaks to effort. The offense just isn't very talented, starting with the line.

Tough moments will tell you who the quitters are and aren't.

Example: The response to Rivers' killer interception against the Bucs. Tackle Jeromey Clary gave dogged pursuit, just missing Bucs defensive back Leonard Johnson with a diving effort. Did you see the effort Louis Vasquez made? The big right guard ran about 50 yards and gave a diving try, nicking Johnson in the leg.

Last Sunday, when Rivers threw an unforced interception to Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard, Chargers left guard Tyronne Greene, huffing and puffing, gave determined pursuit – and pulled his hamstring as Woodyard pulled away.

When their offense sputters, which has been too often, the Chargers can look flat. But I don't think these guys are loafing. I don't think Takeo Spikes and Randy McMichael would stand for it. Neither of those locker-room leaders has gone to the playoffs.

As for Jaworski’s takeaway, I thought it pretty typical. Jaworski, a former quarterback who lasted 17 years in the NFL, seems pained by what he’s seen from Rivers. He mentions Vincent Jackson's absence. Like many people in the media, myself included, Jaworski enjoys talking football with Rivers.

Here’s his entire response:

“Philip Rivers for years was, and still is, one of my favorite players,” Jaworski said. “Philip Rivers loves the game of football. Whenever we would have one of those Monday Night Football production meetings, I would look forward to going in the room with Philip Rivers and talking football, because you can sit there all day and talk football with Philip Rivers. The guy just has an amazing passion for the game.

“But being realistic, and watching his play, he has not been good as of late,” Jaworski said. “Maybe the Vincent Jackson loss has impacted him significantly this year, because clearly the deep ball accuracy has not been there, and the explosive plays have not been there.

“But I think the biggest thing that surprised me is decision-making,” he said. “Whenever I look at the quarterback, it’s the decisions -- where to go with the football. Right now, Philip has just been struggling in that area.

“As a player for 17 years,” Jaworski said, “I know there are times you are going to press, you are going to try to make every play. And sometimes, you just have to let the game come to you. And sometimes, you just have to throw it away, or sometimes you have to take a sack.

“That’s kind of a surprising thing at this point of his career, that he’s forcing so many plays, and making so many poor decisions. But if anyone’s going to work his way through it, it’s going to be Philip.”